Who We Are
Helping Officers Change Lives
Angels on Patrol was founded in 2009, by Phoenix Police Lt. Jacqui MacConnell after rescuing three children in one of the most horrific abuse cases she had ever experienced in her career as a police officer. Since then, more than 22,000 lives have been touched by Angels on Patrol, with approximately 2,000 people helped each year in cities across the Valley.
Not every call requires an arrest, most times it requires a crisis intervention. Officers want to help beyond their official capacity and often times reach into their own pocket to do so when they encounter barriers. That’s when Angels on Patrol steps in. Helping to stabilize the immediate crisis then connecting to community resources.
Our Vision:
To address the deficiencies in societal support systems that often leave law enforcement unable to effectively assist those in need. Angels on Patrol receives requests from law enforcement, striving to identify and fulfill the unmet needs of community members, thereby empowering law enforcement agencies to bridge the gaps where other resources may be lacking.
Angels on Patrol is the ONLY nonprofit with the mission of helping our community's heroes go above and beyond the call of duty! AoP is a registered 501(c)3. EIN# 27-5070691
Join Our Mission
Angels on Patrol's mission is to provide officer initiated support to community members in times of crisis. Law Enforcement officers are enriching lives and the community they proudly serve, one request at a time!
Providing immediate support depends on both the officer and YOU
I’ve been blessed to witness people receive a second chance at life. I’ve seen hope and life come back to a mother’s eyes as she realizes she has an opportunity to leave a life of abuse behind. What officers do daily is lifesaving, and I’m proud to play a small role in helping them go above and beyond the call, not accepting the barriers they face, but finding a way to overcome them to ensure the safety of victims.
We not only help individuals in crisis find hope, we help officers feel like they’ve had the opportunity to successfully complete the call. Officers see things we can’t imagine, and it’s especially difficult when they see children suffering. It’s a privilege to provide officers a direct resource where they can protect, feed, clothe and shelter the vulnerable. The direct line of financial support Angels on Patrol provides, reduces the times officers reach into their own pocket to help those they encounter during their on-duty hours.
My vision is to make Angels on Patrol's services available to EVERY officer in our home state of Arizona and across our great nation! This can only be accomplished with the help from our generous donors. I'm eternally grateful to every funding partner as they enable us to deliver our great mission.
To join us in this journey, click here.
With gratitude, Melinda Cadena
Melinda Cadena
Executive Director
Founder - Lt. Jacqui MacConnell
Board President - Demitria Griggs
Board President - Demitria Griggs
Board President - Demitria Griggs
Board President - Demitria Griggs
Board President - Demitria Griggs
Board Treasurer - Max Michalczik
Board President - Demitria Griggs
Request Liasion - Det. Deb Taylor
Request Liasion - Det. Deb Taylor
Request Liasion - Det. Deb Taylor
Request Liasion - Det. Deb Taylor
STAFF
Melinda Cadena Executive Director
Melinda Cadena Executive Director
Melinda Cadena Executive Director
Melinda has a diverse background in the non-profit and behavioral health fields. She brings unique skills that help bridge the relationship between law enforcement and the community. Her extensive background and passion for healthy families and a strong community has helped strengthen
Angels on Patrol's partnerships.
Melinda's favorite pa
Melinda has a diverse background in the non-profit and behavioral health fields. She brings unique skills that help bridge the relationship between law enforcement and the community. Her extensive background and passion for healthy families and a strong community has helped strengthen
Angels on Patrol's partnerships.
Melinda's favorite past time is spending time with her family and cheering on her two boys during their active sports schedule.
Bekah Gentry
Melinda Cadena Executive Director
Melinda Cadena Executive Director
Bekah is a graduate from Grand Canyon University with a BS in Forensic Psychology. Growing up in and out of the foster care system, she learned to adapt and overcome difficult situations.
She is passionate about using her experiences to help Angels on Patrol support those in crisis situations.
In her free time she enjoys serving as a stude
Bekah is a graduate from Grand Canyon University with a BS in Forensic Psychology. Growing up in and out of the foster care system, she learned to adapt and overcome difficult situations.
She is passionate about using her experiences to help Angels on Patrol support those in crisis situations.
In her free time she enjoys serving as a student leader with GCU's department of Welcome Programs. She also enjoys baking, hiking, and spending quality time family and friends.
Stefani Gombar
Melinda Cadena Executive Director
Stefani Gombar
Stefani is a retired Phoenix Police Sergeant. After 31 years of service, she retired in 2020 from the Property Crimes Unit. During her career she worked patrol, domestic violence, and undercover in the Vice Unit.
She also worked as a School Resource Officer were she enjoyed working closely with the community in a positive manner. Joining
Stefani is a retired Phoenix Police Sergeant. After 31 years of service, she retired in 2020 from the Property Crimes Unit. During her career she worked patrol, domestic violence, and undercover in the Vice Unit.
She also worked as a School Resource Officer were she enjoyed working closely with the community in a positive manner. Joining AoP gives her the opportunity to continue giving back.
Stefani is a graduate from NAU with a degree in Criminal Justice.
Every Donation Makes an Impact
A mother of a 2 and 3-year-old had a long history of domestic violence by her husband. He uprooted her and the children from her family in California, and continued to assault her physically and verbally. Avondale police were called out in the early morning to find her beaten. The police were unable to locate the husband which left the family unsafe at home. The officers placed a request with AoP, and we immediately purchased tickets for her and the children to safety return to CA, where her mother will provide for them until she is able to get back on her feet.
With your support we are able to respond daily to officer requests. As the need grows, Angels on Patrol’s vision is to continue expanding to meet the needs of law enforcement officers as they encounter people in crisis. Your support makes this possible. *To protect the privacy of those we serve, the images used are unaffiliated with the events listed above.
